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LGHL You’re Nuts: Behind Enemy Lines - Potential trap games for Ohio State
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You’re Nuts: Behind Enemy Lines - Potential trap games for Ohio State
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Which under-the-radar opponent could test the Buckeyes?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s opponents. From looking at the Big Ten Conference to individual opponents, to specific players, we will bring it all to you. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Behind Enemy Lines” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Like Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman (still kickin’ at 94), LGHL is going Behind Enemy Lines this week, looking at and breaking down Ohio State’s 2024 opponents. And although I do not share a namesake with either of the actors above – like my esteemed colleague and YN writing partner – I, too, have been known to ignore workplace politics and policy for the sole purpose of saving a fallen soldier...
Alright, I tried to make something work there but one can only do so much with a slightly above-average action movie from two plus decades ago. That being said, it would be fantastic if I found out via my partner’s response that he was indeed named after the man who portrayed Norman Dale in “Hoosiers”.
Getting back to the important stuff, Gene (Ross) and I decided to look at/for teams that could realistically give OSU a scare or a dangerously close game this season. But not in the way that Oregon or Michigan might (and probably will) challenge the Buckeyes. No, we’re talking specifically about trap games. Games – and teams – that might challenge Ohio State unexpectedly.
Always the contrarian/wild card, I’ll say the one that jumps out to me is Michigan State on Sept. 28... Seriously! But not because the overall roster got markedly better. Or because East Lansing is a treacherous place to play. Instead, MSU strikes me as a potential trap game because of the timing and “non-Shoe” venue, as well as the presence of Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles, both transplants from Oregon State.
The game at Michigan State will be Ohio State’s first roadie of the season, which in and of itself is not a huge deal. However, OSU’s next two games after the trip to East Lansing are against Iowa and at Oregon. So would we be shocked if the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead just a bit? Not only that, but they (the Buckeyes) do not have a marquee non-con matchup this season, meaning MSU will actually be a big step up in competition for Ryan Day’s squad.
Now let’s give Day the benefit of the doubt and say/assume that Ohio State will be dialed on for Sparty. The other part(s) of the equation is Smith and Chiles. The former guided Oregon State to 18 wins in his last two seasons as the Beavers’ head coach, while the latter was a top-60 player in the 2023 recruiting class before becoming one of the most coveted quarterbacks in this past offseason’s transfer portal.
Do those two (alone) make Michigan State a top-10 team? No, not a chance. But they do comprise what is likely the best coach-QB duo MSU has had since Mark Dantonio and Kirk Cousins.
Look, I’m not trying to say that Ohio State and Michigan State should be a pick ‘em come late September. But Smith, Chiles, and the Spartans are likely going to be a team on the ris. As opposed to the steep decline we’ve seen recently. And that first conference roadie can be tricky. So circle the game in East Lansing and keep an eye on Sparty. Because MSU could present a bigger challenge than it has for several years.
Like Josh, I have my eye on an early-season contest that could present a challenge for the Buckeyes. I do agree that Michigan State might be an early test, as the Spartans should be much improved under Jonathan Smith. As my partner laid out, it will also be a step-up in competition, as the non-conference trio of Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall will be quite a bit easier than the matchup in East Lansing — even if Michigan State isn’t a team many expect to challenge for a Big Ten title or anything like that.
However, the game I want to take a look at is actually the following week at home, where Ohio State will host Iowa.
This game being in Columbus doesn’t make it nearly as scary as it would be at Kinnick, but with Oregon on the schedule the following week, this matchup has big time ‘look-ahead’ potential for the Buckeyes. Add in the fact that the Hawkeyes routinely field one of the best defenses in the country, and a few lapses in focus could put Ryan Day’s group behind the eight ball against an Iowa team they otherwise should beat rather handily.
Offensively, Iowa has finally rid itself of nepotism posterchild Brian Ferentz at offensive coordinator, replacing him with Western Michigan’s Tim Lester. At quarterback, the team brought in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan to compete with Cade McNamara, who missed most of last season with an injury. Luke Lachey returns at tight end and the offensive line will be solid, but as usual there aren’t a ton of explosive weapons at wide receiver or running back that really scare you.
Defensively is obviously where this team makes its hay, and Phil Parker will look to continue his immense success running the group this season. The Hawkeyes return Big Ten tackles leader Jay Higgins at linebacker, and while they lose star corner Cooper DeJean to the NFL, the back end of the defense will once again be strong, headed by Sebastian Castro, who led the team in interceptions last year, and former five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa. Up front, Yahya Black and Aaron Graves present a strong tackle duo, and the defensive end room as a bunch of solid depth.
Ohio State should have the offensive firepower to overcome even an Iowa defense that will likely once again rank near the top of the country, and the Silver Bullets shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping the Hawkeyes out of the end zone. However, with it being the team’s second Big Ten matchup of the year with Oregon looming, all it would take is a lack of focus to find yourself in trouble. A few early turnovers could have the Buckeyes playing from behind, and that isn’t how you want to situate yourself against Iowa.
This could very well be a game where Ohio State jumps out to an early lead and never looks back, much like it did in the 54-10 win last time these two teams met in 2022. However, the Hawkeyes are an opponent that you cannot afford to overlook before the big road trip to Eugene.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Which under-the-radar opponent could test the Buckeyes?
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State’s opponents. From looking at the Big Ten Conference to individual opponents, to specific players, we will bring it all to you. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Behind Enemy Lines” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Potential trap games for Ohio State
Josh’s Take
Like Owen Wilson and Gene Hackman (still kickin’ at 94), LGHL is going Behind Enemy Lines this week, looking at and breaking down Ohio State’s 2024 opponents. And although I do not share a namesake with either of the actors above – like my esteemed colleague and YN writing partner – I, too, have been known to ignore workplace politics and policy for the sole purpose of saving a fallen soldier...
Alright, I tried to make something work there but one can only do so much with a slightly above-average action movie from two plus decades ago. That being said, it would be fantastic if I found out via my partner’s response that he was indeed named after the man who portrayed Norman Dale in “Hoosiers”.
Getting back to the important stuff, Gene (Ross) and I decided to look at/for teams that could realistically give OSU a scare or a dangerously close game this season. But not in the way that Oregon or Michigan might (and probably will) challenge the Buckeyes. No, we’re talking specifically about trap games. Games – and teams – that might challenge Ohio State unexpectedly.
Always the contrarian/wild card, I’ll say the one that jumps out to me is Michigan State on Sept. 28... Seriously! But not because the overall roster got markedly better. Or because East Lansing is a treacherous place to play. Instead, MSU strikes me as a potential trap game because of the timing and “non-Shoe” venue, as well as the presence of Jonathan Smith and Aidan Chiles, both transplants from Oregon State.
The game at Michigan State will be Ohio State’s first roadie of the season, which in and of itself is not a huge deal. However, OSU’s next two games after the trip to East Lansing are against Iowa and at Oregon. So would we be shocked if the Buckeyes get caught looking ahead just a bit? Not only that, but they (the Buckeyes) do not have a marquee non-con matchup this season, meaning MSU will actually be a big step up in competition for Ryan Day’s squad.
Now let’s give Day the benefit of the doubt and say/assume that Ohio State will be dialed on for Sparty. The other part(s) of the equation is Smith and Chiles. The former guided Oregon State to 18 wins in his last two seasons as the Beavers’ head coach, while the latter was a top-60 player in the 2023 recruiting class before becoming one of the most coveted quarterbacks in this past offseason’s transfer portal.
Do those two (alone) make Michigan State a top-10 team? No, not a chance. But they do comprise what is likely the best coach-QB duo MSU has had since Mark Dantonio and Kirk Cousins.
Look, I’m not trying to say that Ohio State and Michigan State should be a pick ‘em come late September. But Smith, Chiles, and the Spartans are likely going to be a team on the ris. As opposed to the steep decline we’ve seen recently. And that first conference roadie can be tricky. So circle the game in East Lansing and keep an eye on Sparty. Because MSU could present a bigger challenge than it has for several years.
Gene’s Take
Like Josh, I have my eye on an early-season contest that could present a challenge for the Buckeyes. I do agree that Michigan State might be an early test, as the Spartans should be much improved under Jonathan Smith. As my partner laid out, it will also be a step-up in competition, as the non-conference trio of Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall will be quite a bit easier than the matchup in East Lansing — even if Michigan State isn’t a team many expect to challenge for a Big Ten title or anything like that.
However, the game I want to take a look at is actually the following week at home, where Ohio State will host Iowa.
This game being in Columbus doesn’t make it nearly as scary as it would be at Kinnick, but with Oregon on the schedule the following week, this matchup has big time ‘look-ahead’ potential for the Buckeyes. Add in the fact that the Hawkeyes routinely field one of the best defenses in the country, and a few lapses in focus could put Ryan Day’s group behind the eight ball against an Iowa team they otherwise should beat rather handily.
Offensively, Iowa has finally rid itself of nepotism posterchild Brian Ferentz at offensive coordinator, replacing him with Western Michigan’s Tim Lester. At quarterback, the team brought in Northwestern transfer Brendan Sullivan to compete with Cade McNamara, who missed most of last season with an injury. Luke Lachey returns at tight end and the offensive line will be solid, but as usual there aren’t a ton of explosive weapons at wide receiver or running back that really scare you.
Defensively is obviously where this team makes its hay, and Phil Parker will look to continue his immense success running the group this season. The Hawkeyes return Big Ten tackles leader Jay Higgins at linebacker, and while they lose star corner Cooper DeJean to the NFL, the back end of the defense will once again be strong, headed by Sebastian Castro, who led the team in interceptions last year, and former five-star safety Xavier Nwankpa. Up front, Yahya Black and Aaron Graves present a strong tackle duo, and the defensive end room as a bunch of solid depth.
Ohio State should have the offensive firepower to overcome even an Iowa defense that will likely once again rank near the top of the country, and the Silver Bullets shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping the Hawkeyes out of the end zone. However, with it being the team’s second Big Ten matchup of the year with Oregon looming, all it would take is a lack of focus to find yourself in trouble. A few early turnovers could have the Buckeyes playing from behind, and that isn’t how you want to situate yourself against Iowa.
This could very well be a game where Ohio State jumps out to an early lead and never looks back, much like it did in the 54-10 win last time these two teams met in 2022. However, the Hawkeyes are an opponent that you cannot afford to overlook before the big road trip to Eugene.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State’s TC Caffey out with knee injury; Egbuka, Sawyer, Burke at B1G Media Days
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State’s TC Caffey out with knee injury; Egbuka, Sawyer, Burke at B1G Media Days
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Ohio State Running Back TC Caffey Sidelined by Knee Injury
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Egbuka, Sawyer & Burke Will Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
I can live with this:
Ohio State Players Seeing “Championship or Bust” Urgency, “Incredible” Leadership in Summer Workouts
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
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Meechie Johnson, Bruce Thornton believe they can form ‘one of the best backcourts in the country’ this season
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Yeah, this looks pretty great:
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State Running Back TC Caffey Sidelined by Knee Injury
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Egbuka, Sawyer & Burke Will Represent Ohio State at Big Ten Media Days
Ohio State Athletics
I can live with this:
Ohio State Players Seeing “Championship or Bust” Urgency, “Incredible” Leadership in Summer Workouts
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors
Mike Nugent is undoubtedly the best kicker in Ohio State history
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
You’re Nuts: What is the most heroic performance you’ve seen from a Buckeye?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Looking forward to being a lifelong Jeremiah Smith fan:
Jeremiah Smith is obviously a great football player, but also a great kid
Before even playing a snap at OSU he gave back to his community pic.twitter.com/bZPZPhaNO1
— BuckeyeM️B (@Buckeye_Mob) July 14, 2024
What superhero would make the best addition to Ohio State’s football roster?
Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Who is on Ohio State men’s basketball’s Mount Rushmore?
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Versatile Evan Mahaffey feels home at Ohio State as role changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Duane Washington Jr. looking good in the NBA Summer League:
Meechie Johnson, Bruce Thornton believe they can form ‘one of the best backcourts in the country’ this season
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Celeste Taylor signs seven-day contract with Phoenix Mercury
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row
You’re Nuts: Is it time to be done with “Crystal Balls” in recruiting?
Connor Lemons and Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
24 Buckeyes will compete in 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris | Kyle Snyder leads the charge
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts
Who are the 10 best Olympians associated with central Ohio?
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
And now for something completely different...
Yeah, this looks pretty great:
Continue reading...